







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Does the kid think he is a robot or the robot think it's a kid? | |
| Well, I hope he doesn't keep on pooping all around the house! | |
| Oh, sorry, I didn't know I wasn't allowed to order what I want! | |
| How long does the flight usually take? | |
| I think I've got a better idea about what to do with the bed! | |
| But on the ad it says the house is fully furnished! | |
| How old are you? | |
| Cate, are you okay? You seem a little bit aggressive. | |
| You look a bit sad, are you okay? | |
| I don't think she wants to talk or solve anything! | |
| Good thanks, I'm fine, too. | |
| Hello guys, is it possible to make a little less noise? | |
| So I want to cook as much as I can now. | |
| Thanks father, where is Bear's lead? | |
| Does anyone else need anything? | |
| Oh my god! It’s almost 12 o’clock. | |
| Yeah, it's better not to fully fill the bath, it leaks downstairs. | |
| It goes faster, but we don't want to walk to the tube station. | |
| No, we drain pasta with a grater. | |
| Are you sure she is from Australia? | |